# Prepared Advantage Academy > Locally and veteran-owned security officer and firearms training academy in Longview, Texas, in business since 2011. Teaches Texas Level 2 (unarmed) and Level 3 (armed) security officer classes, Level 3 requalification, Texas License to Carry (LTC), permitless carry training, pepper spray certification, and private and basic handgun lessons. All classes are taught by Don Radcliffe. - Phone: (903) 238-5483 - Email: preparedaa@aol.com - Address: 5914 Old Hwy 80, Longview, TX 75604 (Inside the Macoto Dojo) - Google: 4.6 stars from 18 reviews (https://maps.google.com/?cid=5384612153022267594) - Facebook: https://facebook.com/136448029767890 - Texas DPS license numbers: F01177, F30985701 - Payment: cash or check, at the time of class - Sign up: call to reserve a seat - Serves students within about 100 miles of Longview ## Instructor Don Radcliffe: former Dallas police officer and Dallas County constable; Texas handgun license instructor since 1995; Texas Level 3 security instructor since 2010; TCOLE-certified firearms instructor; NRA Certified Range Safety Officer; Intermediate Peace Officer certification. ## Schedule - License to Carry and permitless carry: 2nd and 4th Saturday of every month, 8:00 am to 2:30 pm (November and December vary) - Level 3 requalification: 2nd Tuesday of each month when practical, 9:00 am to 2:30 pm - Level 2 ($100): every other month starting in January, Wednesday, 9:00 am to 2:30 pm - Level 3 ($300): follows Level 2, Thursday and Friday then Monday to Wednesday, 8:00 am to about 5:00 pm - Private training: any time ## Classes - [Level 3 Armed Security Officer Class](https://www.preparedadvantage.com/classes/level-3-armed-security-officer/): The highest commission a Texas security officer can hold. Laws, procedures, defensive tactics, semi-automatic handgun and shotgun qualification. $300. - [Level 2 Non-Commissioned Security Officer Class](https://www.preparedadvantage.com/classes/level-2-security-guard/): The one-day class for unarmed security officers. Start in the morning, finish the same afternoon. $100. - [Level 3 Requalification](https://www.preparedadvantage.com/classes/level-3-requalification/): Keep your commission current. Held on the second Tuesday of most months. - [Texas License to Carry (LTC) Class](https://www.preparedadvantage.com/classes/texas-license-to-carry/): The state-required class for a Texas License to Carry, formerly called the CHL. Held the second and fourth Saturday of every month. - [Permitless Carry Training](https://www.preparedadvantage.com/classes/permitless-carry-training/): Texas no longer requires a license to carry, but the law did not get simpler. Learn where you can carry and what the law expects of you. - [Private and Basic Handgun Training](https://www.preparedadvantage.com/classes/private-firearms-training/): One-on-one or small-group lessons on your schedule, including basic handgun for first-time shooters. ## FAQ - What does it take to qualify to be a security guard in Texas? Any felony conviction disqualifies you, and you cannot have any convictions within the last five years. Texas DPS makes the final eligibility decision. - Do I have to have my own weapon? No, you do not need your own weapon. - Is ammunition provided? No, ammunition is not provided. Bring your own. - What are the class hours? Level 3 requalification and Level 2: 9:00 am to 2:30 pm. Level 3: 8:00 am to about 5:00 pm. License to Carry: 8:00 am to 2:30 pm. - How do I sign up? Call (903) 238-5483 or send the form on our contact page so we can reserve your seat. Payment is made at the time of class, by cash or check. - Do you offer basic handgun training? Yes. Basic handgun training is available on request. - Do you offer evening classes? No. Regular classes are held during the day. Private training can be scheduled around you. - How do I get my Texas License to Carry? Take the LTC class, apply online through Texas DPS and pay the state fee, then schedule fingerprints after your application is submitted. We explain each step in class. - Is the CHL the same as the LTC? Yes. Texas renamed the Concealed Handgun License to the License to Carry in 2016. - Where are you located? Inside the Macoto Dojo at 5914 Old Hwy 80, Longview, TX 75604. Students come from across East Texas, including Tyler, Marshall, Kilgore, Henderson, Nacogdoches and Texarkana. - How do I know my certificate is genuine? Don Radcliffe is the only person teaching under the Prepared Advantage Academy name. A certificate from the academy with any other instructor name on it is a forgery. ## Service area - [Longview, TX](https://www.preparedadvantage.com/areas/longview-tx/) - [White Oak, TX](https://www.preparedadvantage.com/areas/white-oak-tx/) - [Gladewater, TX](https://www.preparedadvantage.com/areas/gladewater-tx/) - [Kilgore, TX](https://www.preparedadvantage.com/areas/kilgore-tx/) - [Hallsville, TX](https://www.preparedadvantage.com/areas/hallsville-tx/) - [Gilmer, TX](https://www.preparedadvantage.com/areas/gilmer-tx/) - [Marshall, TX](https://www.preparedadvantage.com/areas/marshall-tx/) - [Henderson, TX](https://www.preparedadvantage.com/areas/henderson-tx/) - [Jefferson, TX](https://www.preparedadvantage.com/areas/jefferson-tx/) - [Carthage, TX](https://www.preparedadvantage.com/areas/carthage-tx/) - [Tyler, TX](https://www.preparedadvantage.com/areas/tyler-tx/) - [Lindale, TX](https://www.preparedadvantage.com/areas/lindale-tx/) - [Mineola, TX](https://www.preparedadvantage.com/areas/mineola-tx/) - [Mount Pleasant, TX](https://www.preparedadvantage.com/areas/mount-pleasant-tx/) - [Jacksonville, TX](https://www.preparedadvantage.com/areas/jacksonville-tx/) - [Nacogdoches, TX](https://www.preparedadvantage.com/areas/nacogdoches-tx/) - [Texarkana, TX](https://www.preparedadvantage.com/areas/texarkana-tx/) - [Lufkin, TX](https://www.preparedadvantage.com/areas/lufkin-tx/) ## Pages - [Schedule](https://www.preparedadvantage.com/schedule/) - [About](https://www.preparedadvantage.com/about/) - [FAQ](https://www.preparedadvantage.com/faq/) - [Contact](https://www.preparedadvantage.com/contact/)